sijrth



(No Model.) 4 Sh eets Sheet'2.

P. A. SURTH.

AXLE BOX.

No. 594,298. Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

I. A. SURTH.

AXLE BOX.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ ANTON SURTH, OF DORTMUND, GERMANY.

AXLE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 594,298, dated November 23, 1897. Application filed June 6, 1896. Serial No. 594,494. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANZ ANTON SiiR'rH, a subject of the King of Prussia, Emperor of Germany, residing at Dortmund, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Axle-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a closure for the spaces between axles and the walls of the openings in axle-boxes, through which openings the axles pass, the closures serving to prevent the passage of dust through said spaces, and also to prevent the escape of the lubricant from the axle-box.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is-a sectional View of one form of the invention. Fig. 2 is an inner end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the second form of the invention. Fig. 4 is a sec tional view on the line X Y of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line Y Z of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view of a third modification, the view being a section on the line R S of Fig, 7. Fig. 7 is a section on the line M N of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the plates forming part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 0 p of Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the part shown in Fig. 9. Fig: 11 is a sectional View on the line on n of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is applied to an axle-box A, having an opening 1 in its rear wall. The axle 2 passes into the box A through the opening 1. Loose on the axle 2 is a wide or flat ring 0, having a packing-strip 1) bearing against the axle 2. The ring 0 is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, both inclusive, and has at its inner end an annular rim or flange 3, provided with a rabbet groove in its inner edge, in which a plate B is removably fitted, the plate having a circular orifice which receives a portion of the flange 3. The ring 0 has at its outer end a series of circumferentially-alined flanges c, with uniform spaces between them. The

ring 0 also has a series of circumferentially-alined ribs or flanges 0, located intermediately of the flanges 3 and c. The plate B bears against the inner face of the rear wall of the box A, so as to close that portion of the opening 1 which is not closed by the axle 2. A second plate B bears against the outer face of the rear wall of the box A and coacts with the plate B in closing that portion of the opening 1 which is not closed by the axle 2. The plate B is shown in detail in Fig. 8. This plate has a circular opening 4 formed therein to receive the ring 0. The opening 4 is broken by a series of inwardlyextending projections 5. These projections 5 are arranged so as to move easily through the spaces between the flanges or ribs 0. The flanges or ribs 0 and 0' have a staggered relative arrangement, so that when the plate B is moved first with its projections 5 through the spaces between the flanges c the plate B should next be turned so as to bring the projections 5 respectively opposite the spaces between the flanges c, whereupon the plate B may be moved to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which position the flanges or ribs 0 will fit between the projections 5 of the plate B. An expansive coiled spring a is fitted on the ring 0 and presses against the flanges c and against the plate B, so as to draw the ring 0 outward with reference to the box, which forces the plates B and B against the opposite faces of the rear wall of the box A. This construction effectively closes the portion of the opening 1 which is not closed by the axle 2 and permits the axle and box to have easy independent movement without straining the parts.

The construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 is used in connection with a box A, having an opening 1 in its rear wall. Through this opening the axle 2 passes. That portion of the opening 1 which is not closed by the axle 2 is closed by two plates B and B Each plate B and B has a central orifice B snugly receiving the axle 2. Passed through each plate B and B are two linchpins g, the inner ends of which carry pins h, which hold the pins in place.- The outer end of each pin g holds a leaf-spring k. The springs extend vertically against the outer'face of the plate 13 at opposite sides of the axle 2. The springs press against the plate B and against the pins g, which arrangement forces the plates B and 13 toward each other, so as to cause them to firmly engage the respective faces of the rear wall of the box A. Fixed to the axle 2 and arranged between the plates B and B is a ring D, which serves to prevent the passage of material through the walls of the openings B and the sides of the axle 2. This construction forms an effective closure for that part of the opening 1 which is not closed by the axle 2. The construction in question also allows easy independent play of the box A and the axle 2".

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is used in connection with an axlebox A the rear wall of which is composed of two parallel and vertical plates, (designated A and A respectively) and placed from each other to form a pocket or cavity. The plates A and A have each an opening 7 therein, through which the axle 2 passes. Fitted within the space between the plates A and A are two plates B and B, each with a circular central opening 8 snugly receiving the axle 2". Two leaf-springs f and f are riveted to the plate 13* and are bowed so that the ends of the springs f and f will bear against the plate B to press the plates B and B away from each other and respectively against the plates A and A This arrangement effectually closes those portions of the openings 7 which are not closed by the axle 2. The plates 13 and B are provided in their coadjaeent faces with rabbet grooves 9, running around the openings 8 of the plates B and B Fixed on the axle 2 is a ring D, which has portions respectively extending into the rabbet groove 9, and which serves to prevent the passage of material between the walls of the openings 8 and the sides of the axle 2 This construction, as in the others, allows free independent movement of the axle-box and axle and at the same time is effectual in closing such openings in the rear wall of the axle-box as are not closed by the axle.

lVith reference to all of the three forms of my invention it may be observed that in each case the two plates and the ring form a means for closing such portion of the opening in the axle-box as is not closed by the axle. These three partsthat is to say, the plates and the ringin each form of the invention are always in close juxtaposition and always act as a unit in the work of closing such portion of the opening in the axle-box as is not closed by the axle.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination with an axle-box having an opening therein and with an axle passed through the opening, of a ring embracing the axle and having a flange at each end, one flange being smaller than the other flan ge,two plates embracing the ring, one of the plates being engaged with the larger flange, and an expansive spring located between the remaining plate and the smaller flange and pressing the ring to force the two plates toward each other and into engagement with the axle-box.

2. A closure for an axle'box, the closure consisting in a ring at each end of which is a flange, two plates embracing the ring, one of the plates engaging one of the flanges whereby the plate is held on the ring, and a spring pressing the second of the plates and also pressing the remaining of the flanges.

3. The combination with an axle-box having an opening in the rear wall thereof, and with an axle passed through the opening, of a ring snugly embracing and supported by the axle, and two plates embracing and carried on the ring and engaging opposite faces of the rear wall of the axle-box whereby to assist in closing that portion of the opening in the rear wallot' the axle-box which portion is not closed by the axle, the plates and the ring being movable with the axle so as to perform their function irrespective of the relatix e positions of the axle-box and axle.

4. The combination of an axle-box having an opening in one wall thereof, an axle run through said opening, and means for closing such portion of the opening in the axle-box as is not closed by the axle, said means comprising two plates separate from each other and embracing the axle and movable therewith relatively to the axle-box, the plates engaging the wall of the axle-box which has the opening, and a rigid ring separate from the plates, the rigid ring surrounding the axle, the ring and the plates being supported by the axle as distinguished from the axle-box, and the ring engaging the said plates.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANZ ANTON SURTH.

Vitnesses:

MARIA NAGEL, TV. 11. MADDEN. 

